Download SASH herbivore health

Dr Melinda Cowan
2 March 2017
KEEPING YOUR HERBIVORE HEALTHY
Avian and Exotics department, Small Animal Specialist Hospital
Hazards in the home
Toxic food - avocado, onion,
garlic, coffee, chocolate,
rhubarb
Toxic house plants - including
azaleas, ficus species, oleander
Poisons - rodent baits,
cockroach or ant baits, snail
bait
Inhaled toxins - cigarette
smoke, insect sprays
Metal items - lead paint,
galvanised wire, copper, rusty
steel, coins, batteries, costume
jewellery
Electrical cords and wire
Pet cats and dogs, wild
rodents, snakes, foxes
Rabbits and guinea pigs make wonderful pets. It is a common
misconception that they are low-maintenance pets but this is far from
the truth. They have specific dietary requirements and in order to have
long and happy lives, require an appropriate environment, good
nutrition and preventative health care.
Housing your pet
Although traditionally considered outdoor pets, rabbits and guinea
pigs will often be happier and healthier kept as indoor pets with
supervised outdoor access.
Risks of being housed outdoors include:
•Predator attacks (snakes, foxes, cats, dogs)
•Escaping (especially rabbits)
•Heat stress and exposure to the cold
•Fly-strike
•Exposure to fatal viruses such as myxomatosis and calicivirus
Rabbits and guinea pigs prefer a large area to roam, places to hide
and protection from the weather. Rabbits will also use a litter tray and
should be provided with safe litter, such as recycled paper pellets.
Herbivore health
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Dr Melinda Cowan
2 March 2017
Nutrition
Rabbits and guinea pigs are herbivores and require a high fibre diet to
remain healthy. Their intestinal tract is designed to digest low calorie,
high fibre grasses and feeding energy rich foods often leads to serious
problems, including diarrhoea and gut stasis. The teeth of rabbits and
guinea pigs are constantly growing and they require abrasive food to
keep them in normal alignment and prevent dental abnormalities.
Preventative care
Rabbits and guinea pigs should be fed:
Desexing
Female rabbits and guinea pigs should
be speyed when they are young.
Desexing of female rabbits prevents
cancer of the uterus and reduces the risk
of mammary tumours. Female guinea
•80% high quality hay (oaten, timothy, barley, pasture, wheaten types)
•20% green leafy vegetables and herbs
•Fruits, pellets and other vegetables should be offered in small
amounts as treats
pigs very commonly develop cystic
ovaries and uterine tumours that can be
prevented with desexing.
Castration in male rabbits and guinea
Guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C and will develop signs
of scurvy if they are not provided with a diet that includes enough
Vitamin C. Vegetables with a high vitamin C content include parsley,
pigs eliminates the risk of testicular
spinach and capsicum. Carrot, cucumber and oranges have relatively
tumours. If performed early, many
low amounts of vitamin C in comparison. A formulated tablet for
unwanted behaviours can be prevented.
guinea pigs is also available and should be provided if they are
growing, pregnant or unwell.
Vaccination
There are no vaccines currently available
for guinea pigs. Rabbits require
vaccination against Rabbit Haemorrhagic
Disease Virus (Calicivirus), a fatal infection
that has no cure.
Young rabbits need to be immunised at
4, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Adults
receiving their first vaccine should then
be given a booster a month later.
Food that should not be fed rabbits and guinea pigs include:
•Lucerne hay (high levels of calcium that can cause urinary problems
in adult animals)
•Muesli or grain mix
•Seeds, nuts
•Onion, garlic
•Chocolate, sugary foods
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